Discussions By Condition: Allergies

dermatomyositis- red sunburn looking rash on eyelids and neck

I read about this disease. I read that it is detected especially from the tell-tale red eyelid rash. I went to the doctor today for a rash not responding to benedryl at all for days. It got worse covering my eyelids and front of neck. It resembles a flat , sunburn and its painful. The doctor is stumped. She put me on prednisone and thinks its an allergic reaction , although I told her I had nothing new relating to this problem. I failed to mention other things over the past few months such as unexplained knee pain and muscle weakness in legs off and on and gastro problems. I am wondering now if all this is connected?? anyone else have these symptoms??

2 Replies:

Hi,I have been having similar symptoms and my doc has been stumped, but thinks I have a connective tissue disease. He has been doing lots of tests for Lupus, but my ANA has been negative (I could be amoung the 5% or so that is ANA negative). I have had symptoms for approximately 13 months. I had a sunburn-type rash, that was very red, flat, and irritated by touch and clothing. It did not respond to several days of Benadryl or hydrocortisone cream. After about a week it went away, but in the meantime I took a photo of it. The rash was on the back of my shoulders, neck and back of arms. I have tried for months to find anything online that matches the description of this rash, and the only thing I've seen that looks even close to this is called V-sign or Shawl-sign. Look up Google images and see if this comes close to yours, and then discuss with your doc. Further, I have sores on some of my knuckles, and when I researched, I was certain I found the culprit. I discussed with my doc what I had found, and asked him about "Gottron's papules". He had never heard of them, and I told him what I learned was that they are associated only with Dermatomyositis, although Dermatomyositis can occur simultaneously with other connective tissue disorders. He said he would research the papules. I have seen three rheumatologists and an internal medicine specialist and no one has even offered a diagnosis. I am very grateful for a GP who is willing to take the time to listen. I am seeing a dermatologist in December for evaluation and possible biopsy of a mild malar rash, and I am being referred to an internist. I wish you all the best. C

I have just been diagnosed with dermatomyosistis. The muscle weakness is noticeable when walking up and down steps and getting up from a sitting position. I am on prednisone 60 mg and am now thinking this will be a slow recovery.